What landscape gardeners should know about greenhouse installation

There’s a growing interest from homeowners for greenhouse installation. That means landscape gardeners can easily add to their skillset by offering greenhouse installation services.

After all, landscape gardeners are the trade experts in the right place at the right time. For a start, landscape gardening requires a good knowledge of a customer’s aims for their garden.

So, finding out if a greenhouse could be part of their ambitions is an easy question to ask. A greenhouse could also help landscape gardeners do their jobs even better.

The greenhouse is where much of a landscaped garden’s life can begin. A landscape gardener collaborating closely with their customers can create more planting choices using a greenhouse.

For landscape gardeners, offering greenhouse installation services involves a range of skills. This includes both installation and ongoing greenhouse maintenance.

Why greenhouses are in demand

Interest in greenhouses has grown for various reasons.

• The trend to ‘grow your own’ gained ground during the Covid-19 pandemic
• The current cost-of-living crisis has seen food prices soar – so many families are looking to grow their own vegetables and fruit
• Climate change is also making people think differently about growing their own produce – partly for ‘food security’ reasons and also because warmer temperatures can prolong the growing season
• The health factor – People are much more aware of their health and wellbeing, helped by eating additive-free homegrown vegetables and fruit

Being outside, enjoying nature and growing plants boost our wellbeing. Gardening is a proven way of making us feel better.

All of these factors influenced over 25,000 people searching for greenhouse installation services with Checkatrade in 2022.*

How greenhouses work

If you know the basics of how greenhouses work, you can help customers decide whether they want to install one. Here’s a summary of how greenhouses work:

Heat

• The sun’s heat goes through glass/plastic but can’t escape easily
• The heat warms soil and air, which rises and is replaced by cooler air from above which, in turn, warms up
• Greenhouses can overheat and damage what you are growing, so ventilation is important
• Regular watering is needed to replace moisture that evaporates

Cold

• Greenhouses also protect plants from frost damage when it’s cold by protecting them from low temperatures outside

Benefits of having a greenhouse

• Extend growing season for plants, flowers and vegetables
• Increase crop productivity
• Protection from cold weather
• Controlled growing
• Protection from pests, including insects, slugs and squirrels
• Grow exotic plants and flowers
• Grow plants that might not flourish in the garden’s soil types
• Relaxing and motivating activity for a greater sense of wellbeing

If you are recommending a greenhouse to a customer, you should also explain about:

• Taking up garden space
• The cost to install
• You may need to heat it during colder months
• Water irrigation may be required
• It needs regular maintenance to ensure its effectiveness
• Regular repairs are likely

Main types of greenhouse

Three of the main types of greenhouses are:

Prefabricated greenhouses

Most greenhouses are prefabricated and arrive in a pack. The kit is then assembled.

Lean-to greenhouses

Lean-to greenhouses are more suited to people with less space in their gardens or who don’t want anything too large. They are supported on one side by a wall – usually the side of a house or garage.

Restoring historic greenhouses

Greenhouses have been used to grow plants and vegetables in the UK for centuries. Records show their first appearance on these shores from the 1600s, including a heated version.

That means there are a lot of existing greenhouses in need of regular upkeep.

Greenhouse installation services

Landscape gardeners can help their customers from initial thoughts to installation and ongoing maintenance.

Greenhouse materials

The cost of a greenhouse will depend on the materials used. The greenhouse frame is usually made from the following – or a combination:

• Wood
• Metal (usually aluminium or steel)
• Plastic

Some greenhouses can also be half-built with bricks. On top of these, you install a wood or metal structure to hold the glass panes.

Greenhouse location

Where you put a greenhouse will determine how successful you are at growing things in it. Customers could benefit from advice on the best locations:

• Choose level ground
• Away from the shade and in as much sunlight as possible
• Put the entrance facing away from the main wind direction

Greenhouse base installation

The structure should sit on a solid base capable of supporting its weight. Greenhouse installation should consider:

• Choice of materials – usually concrete, paving slabs or brick
• Avoid installation directly on the garden soil or grass as it is likely to be unstable. This could cause the structure to warp or tilt and the glass panes to crack
• Decide whether the base should cover the whole area of the greenhouse or only need to take the weight of the frame. That way, you can grow things directly into the soil inside the greenhouse

Greenhouse glass installation

The choice of glazing material will depend on the customer’s preference and budget:

• Horticultural glass is a relatively low-cost option. But it can break quite easily
• Toughened glass is like a car windscreen and shatters into lots of pieces when damaged. This is useful in areas where the weather is more extreme
• Polycarbonate plastic is a lightweight and durable choice. But it lets in less sunlight than glass. It also deteriorates in sunlight and could be damaged in high winds

Heating a greenhouse

Some greenhouse owners like to heat them during colder periods. Heaters using gas or paraffin are popular methods. Fitting the greenhouse with an electricity supply during installation is another consideration.

Watering for a greenhouse

Most gardeners rely on a watering can to keep their plants, vegetables and flowers well-watered. You can also consider installing an irrigation system.

These are a network of pipes connected to a tap with a timer to control the release of water.

Ventilation in a greenhouse

Greenhouses need good ventilation to stop them from overheating. Ventilation also reduces humidity which can damage plants and vegetables.

Most greenhouses include ventilation, typically window panes that can be opened. More sophisticated options can be installed, including installing vents that automatically open and close depending on the temperature.

You can also fit blinds into greenhouses so the owner can control the heat getting in. Of course, opening the door is also an effective method of ventilation!

Pathways

As well as installing the greenhouse, you’ll need to think about how you get to it. Gardeners have to visit their greenhouses regularly – usually daily in the summer.

Installing a path might be a good idea to avoid creating a muddy path or damaging their lawn when walking to their greenhouse. It’s not just feet that can cause damage. Trundling a wheelbarrow to and from a greenhouse could make a pathway an essential part of a greenhouse installation.

Maintenance

Although modern greenhouses are robust they will inevitably deteriorate over the years. To help customers prolong the life of their greenhouse you could offer additional services.

This could include regular maintenance checks to ensure the greenhouse is working effectively. You can also be on hand if it gets damaged, particularly from bad weather over the winter months.

FAQs

Where does a lean-to greenhouse installation work best?

A lean-to greenhouse is supported on one side by a wall – usually the house or garage. It’s a great option where space is limited or where the homeowner only wants a small structure.

What are the main requirements for a greenhouse base installation?

Choose level ground away from shade. Decide on what base material to use: usually concrete, paving slabs or brick. The base could cover the whole area of the greenhouse or just where the structure sits.

What are the main requirements for greenhouse glass installation?

The type of glass used will depend on the customer’s preference and budget. Horticultural glass is low-cost but can break easily. Toughened glass is more expensive but doesn’t create sharp shards if it breaks. Polycarbonate and plastic are lightweight and cheap but let in less sunlight.

* Data sourced from searches on www.checkatrade.com in 2022.